Exploring Graceland: Elvis Presley's final resting place


Selina Denman
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Seeking a refuge from over-eager fans and the pressures of fame, a 22-year-old Elvis Presley bought the Graceland estate in 1957 for $102,500.

Forty-five years after his death, the property in Memphis, Tennessee, remains a site of pilgrimage for “the king’s" many fans, as well as a tourist attraction in its own right. And as Baz Luhrmann's biopic Elvis, starring Austin Butler, hits cinemas, a new wave of fans will create a renewed interest in his life.

Presley was originally buried next to his mother at Memphis Forest Hill Cemetery, but his body was moved back to Graceland after an attempt was made to steal his coffin and hold the remains the ransom.

Visitors can explore the various facets of Graceland Mansion, as well as the on-site entertainment complex. They can choose to take an interactive iPad tour hosted by John Stamos and featuring commentary and stories by Presley and his daughter Lisa Marie Presley.

Memorabilia from Elvis Presley's early years are shown on display at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Reuters
Memorabilia from Elvis Presley's early years are shown on display at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Reuters

Accessible to the public are the living room, Presley’s parents’ bedroom, the kitchen, TV room, pool room, Jungle Room, his father’s office, the newly enhanced trophy building, the racquetball building, which has been restored to how it looked in 1977, and the Meditation Garden.

Presley's master suite on the second floor of the property remains off limits. After the home was opened to the public in 1982, the second floor was sealed shut out of respect to the family and also to avoid too much attention being placed on the singer’s death.

Fans can also see Presley’s career brought to life through the hundreds of artefacts and photos in Graceland Archives, including his amazing collection of gold and platinum records, his jumpsuits and memorabilia from his movies.

The singer's favourite cars, including his pink Cadillac, Stutz Blackhawk, 1956 Cadillac Eldorado, Dino Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz limousine and Rolls Royce sedans are also on show, alongside his customised airplanes. These include the Lisa Marie, which has a living room, conference room, private bedroom, gold-plated seatbelts, leather-covered tables, and 24-karat gold-flecked sinks.

A series of exhibits, including a new one focusing on Presley’s love of football, provide further insight in the rock ’n’ roll star’s psyche, while new interactive experiences include the “Elvis Yourself” Virtual Dress-Up Experience, and Elvis: Front Row — An Immersive Concert Experience.

Baz Luhrmann on Elvis Presley: he was the original punk rocker. Scroll through the gallery below for stills from the film 'Elvis':

SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)

Lecce v SPAL (6pm)

Bologna v Genoa (9pm)

Atlanta v Roma (11.45pm)

Sunday

Udinese v Hellas Verona (3.30pm)

Juventus v Brescia (6pm)

Sampdoria v Fiorentina (6pm)

Sassuolo v Parma (6pm)

Cagliari v Napoli (9pm)

Lazio v Inter Milan (11.45pm)

Monday

AC Milan v Torino (11.45pm)

 

SERIES SCHEDULE

First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6

'The Lost Daughter'

Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal

Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson

Rating: 4/5

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Third Test

Day 3, stumps

India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151

India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining

Tickets

Tickets for the 2019 Asian Cup are available online, via www.asiancup2019.com

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Quarter-finals

Saturday (all times UAE)

England v Australia, 11.15am 
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm

Sunday

Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score)

Porto (0) v Liverpool (2), Wednesday, 11pm UAE

Match is on BeIN Sports

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Aahid Al Khalediah II, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Whistle, Harry Bentley, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup - Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alsaied, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6.30pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mumayaza, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel

7pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7.30pm: President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

8pm: President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Medahim, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

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Updated: June 23, 2022, 1:19 PM`